“And He went on a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed….” Matthew 26:39 (KJV)

Have you ever felt God calling you “further still” with Him? It is those times when He is connecting with you so personally and so deeply, and gently calling you to go further in your relationship with Him.

These places of “further still with God” are places where it’s just you and Him as He beckons you to step into deeper levels of intimacy and trust. As you pray and search His scriptures, you listen for and hear His still, small voice. During these “further still” seasons with God, He matures your faith, broadens your trust, and reveals intimate treasures from His heart to yours. It’s a beautiful time when you crave less of the world and more of Him.

I have been in one of those “further still” seasons with God recently. He has called me out of my comfort zone into unfamiliar, but prepared and safe places. Just as He required bravery of Joshua in the Old Testament, He calls me to bravely trust Him too.

During this season, He has been tenderly lifting my head so I fix my gaze upon Him alone. My husband lovingly gives his counsel to me, and my sisters in the Lord pray on my behalf. I am so thankful for my husband and friends, yet I know that as God calls me “further still,” I am the one who has to continue stepping forward with confidence in Him. No one can do that for me. He reminds me to look to Him alone, to please Him and not people.

In his book Reflecting His Image, KP Yohannan writes, “You see, when it is only God and you, you are more apt to face your pride and your sins. With everyone else we argue these things away and look wonderful and smile. But when we are all alone before God, we face ourselves, and the cleansing and purification will take place. We become less phony the more we are with the Lord.”

Is God calling you further still today? Our Heavenly Father is completely faithful and entirely trustworthy. He stands with His strong and loving arms opened wide beckoning you to take steps of faith in your walk with Him. Though the place you step may be unfamiliar, remember He has gone before you. He wants you to see more of Him - His flawless character and His amazing love. He has a heart full of treasures to unearth for you.

Dear Lord, You are perfectly faithful and trustworthy. As You gently take my hand to lead me further still with You, fill me with Your peace and courage. Fix my gaze on You alone. Thank you for the heart full of treasures You have for me. As You unearth them in me, use my life to glorify and honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

5 Comments:

Wow Sharon - It's as though this was written specifically for me. I am just where you describe, going further and deeper with my Wonderful God. He has repeatedly given me Isaiah 45:3 recently and I have come to realize that this is meant to be my life's verse.

I just want to say thank you for your message. I just heard about this site from my local radio station. I have had a lot of trouble lately with accepting that God really does love me and I feel like he is beconing me to come closer, but I am so afraid and cautious. Your message really reached me and lifted me up and I just want to say thank you. I really needed to hear that. Thank you!!!